Tragic Poisonous Cough Syrup Deaths in Madhya Pradesh: Chhindwara Families Mourn Lost Children Amid Heartbreaking Last Moments

Digital Desk

In a devastating tragedy shaking Madhya Pradesh, at least 19 children have lost their lives due to poisonous Coldrif cough syrup, prescribed for common colds and coughs. The incident, centered in Chhindwara and Parasia, has left families in profound grief, recalling their little ones' final agonizing moments.

Five-year-old Adnan Khan from Newton, Parasia, battled severe symptoms including vomiting, stomach pain, and kidney failure after taking the syrup. His mother heartbreakingly remembers his last words: "A…Anar ka meetha dana" – a child's plea for sweet pomegranate seeds. In the ICU at Chhindwara District Hospital, Adnan repeatedly asked for Frooti at 2 a.m. every night. Despite 11 days of treatment and CPR, he passed away on September 7, leaving his family devastated after spending Rs 7 lakh on loans.

Adnan's four-year-old cousin, Usaid Khan, suffered similarly. Admitted on September 6, he underwent three dialysis sessions but succumbed to kidney failure on September 13. His father sold his auto-rickshaw to fund treatment, only to face further tragedy when floods destroyed their home.

Three-year-old Vidhi Deharia pleaded to go home before her condition worsened rapidly. Her father, Mahesh Deharia, lamented, “We tried our best... but we couldn’t save her.” She died on September 5 after face and feet swelling, and inability to urinate.

Five-year-old Divyansh Yaduvanshi from Duddi village endured seven dialysis sessions and ventilator support but died on September 1. His mother sold her wedding jewelry in vain. Four-year-old Hetansh from Umreth briefly improved after 13-14 dialyses but slipped into a coma due to brain swelling and passed away.

Prescribed by local doctors like Dr. Praveen Soni, the syrup caused acute kidney injury, breathing difficulties, and irreversible damage. Families, trusting government hospitals, now demand answers: “Why did the death-causing medicine reach my child?”

The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated a full investigation and taken action against those responsible. As politics swirls around the crisis, affected parents grapple with immense financial and emotional burdens, forever haunted by their children's suffering.

This cough syrup scandal highlights urgent needs for stricter drug regulations in India, as communities in Chhindwara mourn irreplaceable losses.